riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Lee County Disaster Risk

Lee County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

63th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Lee County

Risk Verdict

Lee County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 54th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Lee County, scoring in the 70th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 63th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (50th), hurricane (16th), wildfire (9th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Lee County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Lee County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Illinois. Its composite risk score is within 0.1 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Illinois as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lee County, IL?
Lee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Lee County?
Lee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (70th percentile), flooding (63th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), hurricane (16th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 70th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Lee County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Lee County's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lee County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Lee County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Lee County's tornado risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lee County is at the 63th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Lee County a safe place to live?
Lee County's composite risk score of 54th percentile is below the Illinois state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 70th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

White County

Illinois

-0.1

Relatively Low

54th percentile

Christian County

Illinois

-0.3

Relatively Low

54th percentile

Effingham County

Illinois

-0.6

Relatively Low

54th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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